Music Of The Heart

1. Starting New

"Bella are you ready to go sweetie?" My Mom, Renee, asked me as we piled in the car. My mom is a music teacher at UW. I was transferring from NYU, where I had been for 2 years. Being in New York got to be too much of a hassle; I missed my mom and my hometown. I thought going to NYU would be a dream come true, and at first it was. It was more than I could have ever dreamed of; a great learning experience for me.

I wasn't supposed to start at UW for another week so my Mom asked me to come play piano for her class. Of course I said I would; I never turn down an opportunity to play. I started playing piano when I was five years old and I started to play the guitar at age 8. I have been singing since before I could even talk. I've always had a special place for music; it seemed to come to me so easily.

"Yeah Mom I'm ready." I replied.

My mom was my best friend. Other than my dark hair and pale skin, I look just like her. My dad, Charlie, was the Police Chief of Forks, Washington and was killed in the line of duty when I was a toddler. That's where my dark hair and pale skin came from. To me I was plain; to my mom I was the most beautiful thing ever. Of course with her being my mom I think she's a bit biased.

As for my social life or lack thereof, I've only had one serious boyfriend, Jacob Black. We dated for a few months, but it just didn't seem right. We were more like brother and sister than a couple. So, I'm pretty content being single.

The right man will come alone one day.

Mom and I pulled into the big campus of UW. I was getting excited, this is where I really belong; finally I'm at home.

We walked through the halls that had a musky smell to it. I welcomed it gladly and it reminded me of the smart decision I had made.

Mom called out. "Nancy?"

We stood in the office when an elderly lady came out. "Hi Renee." Then her gaze shifted to me, "You must be Bella?" I blushed….did I forget to mention I was cursed with a blush? No? Well I am.

My Mom spoke up before I had the chance, "Yes Nancy this is my daughter Bella." The woman came around and hugged me and I giggled and hugged her back.

"How nice to meet you Bella."

"You to."

"Oh Renee she is everything you said she was and so much more." I became uncomfortable under their stare and tried not to fidget.

Renee sensing this helped me out. "Come on Bella. Let me show my classroom."

We walked up the stairs to the music department to stop at a door. 'Renee Swan-Musical Director', I smiled hoping one day I would have a sign like that.

I walked in and immediately went to the piano. I flexed and stretched my fingers. "Bella, class starts in ten minutes so don't play just yet. Go sit at my desk." She said so proudly.

"Mom, please don't make this a huge deal." I begged knowing it was a lost cause.

"Oh, Nonsense Bella!" She waved her hand at me. "I am showing you off because I am proud of you. I won't be able to do this next week. When I am your teacher, I can't play favorites." Well, she had a point and I didn't want to take this moment away from her.

Ten minutes later, students started coming into the room. I kept quiet only smiling when somebody sent a friendly one my way. When I looked at the door as it closed, my breath caught. The most beautiful guy walked in. Breathe Bella.

He had messy bronze hair that seemed to go every which way; the perfect roll-out-bed-I-was-just-fucked- hair. He was built but not bulky from what I could see through his gray t-shirt. I couldn't see his eyes since he was talking toward a short girl with spiky black hair. She was beautiful. Well fuckity fuck, of course he was taken. All the good ones are.

I inwardly sighed and shook it off as my mother started to speak. "Good morning class."

"Good morning Mrs. Swan." They all repeated and I tried holding the giggle that tried so hard to escape my mouth. What? Are we in kindergarten?

"Okay we have someone very special here today. Before I introduce her I would like to tell you a little bit about her." She spoke with such authority and formality. She made them all hang on to every word she was saying.

"Before she was a senior in high school she was already accepted into NYU in the honors music program. She's played for the President of the United States and other countries and has played with some of the world's most famous musicians. She has been at NYU for two years and has decided to come home to finish out her degree here at UW. I couldn't be more proud of her. She is my everything and my reason for being. Please welcome my daughter, Isabella Swan."

I stood up and walked over and gave my mom a hug trying to convey how much I loved her. I could see the love she has for me behind the tears that were trying to spill over. Everybody was standing and clapping. I blushed of course.

"Okay sit down please and just call me Bella." I smiled and laughed. "Only my mother seems to introduce me by my full name that I was cursed with……thanks mom." She laughed at me as did the class.

"So class if you have any questions for Bella, please feel to ask." My mom emphasized Bella so I smiled.

The little black haired girl that came in with the Adonis raised her hand. "Alice?" She smiled and stood.

"Bella, what is your favorite piece to play?" I knew automatically what my favorite piece was.

"Claire de Lune by Debussy; I learnt that for my first recital when I was five." I heard a few wows.

A blonde haired girl raised her hand. "Tanya?"

The girl stood and smiled very kindly to me. "What was your favorite place to visit?" Oh that was a tough one.

"Hmm, it's a tie…. I went to Rome and played with Aro Volturi at sunset. Then I also went to Sydney and played with Marcus Delarosa under the stars at candlelight for his daughter's wedding. So I'd have to say both." She smiled at me and sat back down.

The beautiful boy raised his hand. "Edward?" Edward, huh? Old fashioned but a very beautiful name.

"Can you play us something?" A chorus of yeah's went around. I laughed.

"Sure, it would be an honor." I smiled.

I sat down and cleared my head of nothing but the beautiful melody of Claire de Lune. As soon as I hit the last note, I opened my eyes and everybody was wide eyed and clapping.

I smiled. "Okay Mom let's do ours." She sat down and giggled. We played our little humor song we wrote when I was fourteen. When we finished everybody was laughing and clapping.

"Hey Bella! I have a question." A girl with brown hair asked shyly.

"Yes?"

"What's the best piece of advice you got?" Wow wasn't expecting that one. I smiled.

"I met Billy Joel in London when I was around sixteen, I think…. He told me to not ever over think music. Let it flow through your fingers and out of the piano. Never give up on the thing your most passionate about….I have never forgotten that and it's my chant before I do a show. We still keep in touch to this day. He has helped me when I compose and get stuck." I giggled.

I noticed the bronze haired boy, Edward, kept looking at me. Damn, that look makes me feel hot down in my nether regions, something I'm not really used too; and I like it. I am definitely looking forward to this school year; It's gonna be a good one.

The bell rang for the end of the day. Mom's classes seemed to just fly by.

Now I just hope the weekend goes by just as fast. I'm so looking forward to Monday and maybe seeing Edward again.